Come Out and
Play II: Zander's Solution
by Michael S.
Collins
Harry
marvelled at Zanders ability to sum up a
situation and its solution in one breath. He
walked over to the open window. Dennis spotted
him.
"Hey,
Harry, what’s keeping you? Come out and play!"
The other
sheep all laughed. Harry gulped.
"Why are
you so mean to me?" He said quickly.
The question
caught Dennis off guard. "What do you mean?"
said the bully.
"Why do
you pick on me?"
Dennis thought
about this. "Well", he said, "Because
you are you, and I am me, and I'd rather you were
no longer you, and no one else seems to disagree.
That’s how things are."
Harry dived
out of the way as a stray rock almost hit him.
Zander looked indignant as his aged features lit
up.
"You mean
to say they hunt you because they feel your life
has no merit. How terrible can these creatures be?
Young Master Dennis needs to be brought down a
peg or two in society. He's twice your age after
all!"
"I'm use
to it" was all Harry said before he was
drowned out by another chant of "Come out
and Play".
"You've
played enough for today, Harry." said Zander.
He noticed the burn mark on Harry's arm.
"Oh I am
sorry", he said, "Does that still hurt?"
Harry followed
his friends gaze. "No no, it’s getting
better. Just stings a bit."
"Thank
goodness", said Zander, whose eyes lit up
very brightly, the merest hint of a smile forming.
"Harry, you know how an invitation is being
handed out here?"
"Yes."
"Would
you mind ever so much if I took the invite. Only
I am looking forward to meeting young Dennis."
Harry returned
Zander's smile. "Of course."
"Come out
and play" was the call of the street. "Coming"
said Zander. And he spread open his wings and
flew out of the window. The yelps of surprise
soon followed. Perhaps the size of Zander
surprised the hoodlums. Or his fire breathing
trick. The noise outside proved he was showing it
off at that very moment. Harry's mother came into
the room to sort out his laundry.
"Mum,
Zander's playing with Dennis."
"That’s
lovely, dear."
The boy smiled.
"Yes, isn't it!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Zander sat on
the curb, watching the others scarper. "Perhaps
I have overdone the fire", he thought,
looking at the charred black pavement. At least
it seemed to have taught some nasty little boys a
harsh but valuable life lesson. Harry was a
special little boy. A special little boy whose
imagination meant no one would ever believe he
had a real live friend like Zander. So few little
boys are willing to make friends with such people.
A front door
opened. A woman stepped out onto the street,
ostensibly to complain about the noise. She
stopped dead in her tracks.
"Oh my
god, it's a flaming dragon!" She said.
"Don't
worry lady", said Zander smoothly, "I
don't really exist. I'm just a needy little boy's
imaginary friend."
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